INCREASINGLY INFREQUENT UPDATES
So last winter I got a bug up my ass and I decided that I needed to go on A BIG TRIP. And I did! This winter I had a similar bug/ass situation, however this was in regards to grad school, and was at least in part inspired by the massive, massive incompetence displayed by our State government officials.
You see I am still young, and I still retain a sliver of idealism. I am not dumb. I also came to the realization that I wasn't really working on any grand projects in my life aside from my job, that I missed learning things, and that these two (previously sublimated) things were bothering me more and more. A related realization was this - that my current skill set was inadequate to accurately sift bullshit from non- in many situations. If I was going to make a positive impact (I believe I am still capable of this!) this would have to be remedied.
To crush all these issues with a single, meaty blow I decided to apply to grad school - MPA with a concentration in public finance. Albany State for practicality and job-keepiness, NYU as a sort of romantic notion and homerun and to see what they would give me. And much like last year's experience, once I had decided on all this I did it. I got in to both schools, Albany made more sense, and here I am today. I'm all signed up for my classes and everything.
I've also decided to move out of my current, awesome pad. It's back to solo apartment land for me, as I'm going to need the space/quiet in order to really get things done while doing the part-time g school/work thing. It's going to be a hermit-like 2.5 years, though I will do my best to fight this. I have good roots now in Albany too, which helps.
So the post-college 4-year cycle that I alluded to last year actually took 5 years, but here I am. I have the rest of the summer for apartment switchin' and perhaps a small vacation, and then I'm back to learning and new things again. And I'm really really looking forward to it.